Comparative Analysis of Nutritional Composition of 61 Varieties of Mandarins (Citrus Reticulata Blanco)

Abstract

The fruits juice of 61 mandarins (Citrus reticulata Blanco) germplasm from the citrus fruits collection planted in the experimental field of National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) of Kenitra in Morocco were analysed. From principal component analysis, a selection based on the study of the chemical characters of sixty-one varieties allowed to characterize the following profiles of important nutritional composition: (1) For the mandarinette variety the beta-carotenoid content, Vitamin C, Juice yield, TSS, Maturity Index and TA was 3.25 mg·L^-1, 542.85 mg·L^-1, 49%, 12%, 4.23% and 2,84, respectively. For Honoy, average β-Carotene intakes, Vitamin C, TSS, TA, Juice yield and Maturity index were almost 3.07 mg·L^-1, 477.47 mg·L^-1, 12% 0.94, 39.79% and 13%, respectively. Chow chow tien was also characterized as an important source of β-carotene (3.04 mg·L^-1), Vitamin C (447.44 mg·L^-1) and TSS (12 %). Regarding the Forst Dancy variety, we found a high of β-Carotene content (3.23 mg·L^-1) but low intake of Vitamin C (355.32 mg·L^-1) and TA content (0.87 %). (2) A second profile consists of Chuika, Ananas, Suen and Cravo characterized by an average β-Carotene intake varying from 2.36 to 2.92 mg·L^-1, Vitamin C between 444.15 and 526,4 mg·L^-1, TSS greater than 11%, Juice yield greater than 45 % if we except Suen (23.12 %) and an TA around 1, but Suen was very acidic (2.73 %). (3) For the last profile consisting of Siamélo, Ortonique, Bergamota and Pankan varieties, the average Vitamin C content varied between 503.37 and 644 mg·L^-1, that of β-Carotene between 1 and 1.25 mg·L^-1 while the Juice yield intake was greater than 46%, TSS almost 11%, TA varying between 1.25 and 3.5 % and Maturity index less than 8.4.